Musical performers at Hackney Carnival enjoying the festivities
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Carnival Arts groups in Hackney believe more warning should have been given by the Council before the decision was made to withdraw funding for the event.
Marva Antoine, Managing Artistic Director of local arts group Tropical Isles, believes “if the Council doesn’t have a budget, they should have informed us [community organisations] earlier so that we could find another solution.”
We were only told last week and we should have had more time. If we [community groups] were going to fund that event we needed much longer. Funding can take up to 6 months.
Marva Antoine, Managing Artistic Director of Tropical Isles
The council announced last week the withdrawal of £500,000 that was set aside for the Hackney Carnival this year.
Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Culture said in a statement “We know how much carnival means to so many people in Hackney. However, as a fully Council-funded event, we sadly cannot commit the significant investment that it requires in our budget for future years at a time when vital services are severely stretched.”.
Despite this, frustration is still felt across the borough as Hackney loses an important cultural event for the community.
Sam Alexander, whose band Baque de Axe performed at the Carnival last year, lamented the decision as more and more bands find it increasingly harder to become self-sufficient. “My band has been going for 22 years.” he said, “It becomes very tricky to come up with ways of making money. We’ve worked out different ways we can perform but other groups don’t have that. The carnival performances that they produce is a one-off event and they can’t package it in ways that aren’t marketable.
We need to give more access to different communities to find their space and their voice on the street. Sharing their dreams, sharing their culture, sharing their daily life
Sam Alexander, Founder of Baque de Axe
The Hackney Carnival took place in September last year
“We need to find something else to replicate that Carnival if it’s not on the streets.”
In place of the £500,000 funding, the council had secured a £70,000 grant from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL). The money comes from developers who have recently built new shops and homes in the area.
According to The Hackney Citizen, the carnival last year had a budget that inflated to £1million, which was supplied both by the NCIL and the Council.
However, the £70,000 say it is still not enough for local community groups. “It could have been bigger.”, said Marva Antoine, “If you wanted to develop a carnival next year, do we take that funding for that? So therefore there may not be any activities. That is open for discussion.”
Justin Thomas, the Charmain of the Carnival Arts & Masquerade Foundation, said that “£70,000 is not enough for a street party, but could still be spent wisely to have an impact for the community.”
One way the money could invested sustainably for the community is by putting it towards setting up a centre for cultural activities. This would provide a venue for smaller-scale events to take place all year round.
“Different artists could come in and deliver their programme.”, believes Marva, “This could help engage the wider community.”
“A centre could help connect organisations with schools and charities throughout the year.” Justin affirmed, “It gives the opportunity to provide carnival-related activities all year round. Notting Hill benefits from carnival legacy in this way.”
Notting Hill has two centres dedicated to the carnival arts. These are community driven and arts-orientating, providing a sustainable source of income for the carnival event in West London.
An event space would provide a place for cultural events and training workshops, as well as shows. A space can be so impactful
Justin Thomas, Charmain of the Carnival Arts & Masquerade Foundation
The economic importance of Carnival
Beyond cultural importance, Carnival goes a long way in benefiting the economy. Town Hall estimated that last year’s event brought in £3.24 million in gross value to the borough.
“Government’s need to understand this eco-impact as well.”, said Justin, “If it’s structured well as an industry, there is an opportunity not just for the continuance of the events but also a widening of the economy and these organisations for the community.”
Hackney Carnival provides the opportunity to celebrate many different Caribbean and Latin cultures.
“We have a voice and we want to continue having our voice. That is using the Carnival to not forget our past “
Most crucially for many, there lies the importance of preserving carnival lies within historical legacy it preserves for future generations.
“Losing Carnival will have a great impact on change.”, Marva reiterated, “Carnival allows us to remember where we came from, bringing our past into the future.”
The practice of carnival allows the community to preserve many important practices for future generations. Giving them something to celebrate whilst sharing positive ideas and energy of many different cultures.
It remains to be seen whether any carnival will go ahead in 2026, but Hackney will be hopeful that this celebration will make a return in the future.
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Standfirst
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Headline“It’s a decision that we all don’t understand” – Hackney vents frustration at Carnival funding withdrawal
Short HeadlineLocals express disappointment with Hackney Carnival funding cuts
StandfirstThe council has made the decision to withdraw funding of £500,000 for the 2025 Hackney Carnival, upsetting many local citizens.
Carnival Arts groups in Hackney believe more warning should have been given by the Council before the decision was made to withdraw funding for the event.
Marva Antoine, Managing Artistic Director of local arts group Tropical Isles, believes “if the Council doesn’t have a budget, they should have informed us [community organisations] earlier so that we could find another solution.”
We were only told last week and we should have had more time. If we [community groups] were going to fund that event we needed much longer. Funding can take up to 6 months.
Marva Antoine, Managing Artistic Director of Tropical Isles
The council announced last week the withdrawal of £500,000 that was set aside for the Hackney Carnival this year.
Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Culture said in a statement “We know how much carnival means to so many people in Hackney. However, as a fully Council-funded event, we sadly cannot commit the significant investment that it requires in our budget for future years at a time when vital services are severely stretched.”.
Despite this, frustration is still felt across the borough as Hackney loses an important cultural event for the community.
Sam Alexander, whose band Baque de Axe performed at the Carnival last year, lamented the decision as more and more bands find it increasingly harder to become self-sufficient. “My band has been going for 22 years.” he said, “It becomes very tricky to come up with ways of making money. We’ve worked out different ways we can perform but other groups don’t have that. The carnival performances that they produce is a one-off event and they can’t package it in ways that aren’t marketable.
We need to give more access to different communities to find their space and their voice on the street. Sharing their dreams, sharing their culture, sharing their daily life
Sam Alexander, Founder of Baque de Axe
The Hackney Carnival took place in September last year
“We need to find something else to replicate that Carnival if it’s not on the streets.”
In place of the £500,000 funding, the council had secured a £70,000 grant from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL). The money comes from developers who have recently built new shops and homes in the area.
According to The Hackney Citizen, the carnival last year had a budget that inflated to £1million, which was supplied both by the NCIL and the Council.
However, the £70,000 say it is still not enough for local community groups. “It could have been bigger.”, said Marva Antoine, “If you wanted to develop a carnival next year, do we take that funding for that? So therefore there may not be any activities. That is open for discussion.”
Justin Thomas, the Charmain of the Carnival Arts & Masquerade Foundation, said that “£70,000 is not enough for a street party, but could still be spent wisely to have an impact for the community.”
One way the money could invested sustainably for the community is by putting it towards setting up a centre for cultural activities. This would provide a venue for smaller-scale events to take place all year round.
“Different artists could come in and deliver their programme.”, believes Marva, “This could help engage the wider community.”
“A centre could help connect organisations with schools and charities throughout the year.” Justin affirmed, “It gives the opportunity to provide carnival-related activities all year round. Notting Hill benefits from carnival legacy in this way.”
Notting Hill has two centres dedicated to the carnival arts. These are community driven and arts-orientating, providing a sustainable source of income for the carnival event in West London.
An event space would provide a place for cultural events and training workshops, as well as shows. A space can be so impactful
Justin Thomas, Charmain of the Carnival Arts & Masquerade Foundation
The economic importance of Carnival
Beyond cultural importance, Carnival goes a long way in benefiting the economy. Town Hall estimated that last year’s event brought in £3.24 million in gross value to the borough.
“Government’s need to understand this eco-impact as well.”, said Justin, “If it’s structured well as an industry, there is an opportunity not just for the continuance of the events but also a widening of the economy and these organisations for the community.”
Hackney Carnival provides the opportunity to celebrate many different Caribbean and Latin cultures.
“We have a voice and we want to continue having our voice. That is using the Carnival to not forget our past “
Most crucially for many, there lies the importance of preserving carnival lies within historical legacy it preserves for future generations.
“Losing Carnival will have a great impact on change.”, Marva reiterated, “Carnival allows us to remember where we came from, bringing our past into the future.”
The practice of carnival allows the community to preserve many important practices for future generations. Giving them something to celebrate whilst sharing positive ideas and energy of many different cultures.
It remains to be seen whether any carnival will go ahead in 2026, but Hackney will be hopeful that this celebration will make a return in the future.
